WangXian Untamed Together

Chapter 20 - Unexpected Emissary

At the Gates of Cloud Recesses, the guards watched with interest the unusual sight before them. Toiling up the endless stone stairs, a small child laboured to climb to Cloud Recesses, a still smaller child in their arms. That is, until they grew weary. Then the smaller child would be shifted to a scarcely older back and the climb resume. Back and forth, from arms to back and back again, the elder child laboured to carry the younger up the mountain. At the top of the stairs, before the great carved Wall of Rules, the toddler was allowed their feet at last, as the older child sank to their knees. Some time passed – perhaps a quarter shichen or so – as the young chest heaved from the effort finally completed. Gradually their breathing slowed, and the over-ruddy colour seeped away from the young face. The other tiny child sat on their thick bottom, sucking their thumb, big eyes on their companion. Rested, the older child took the toddler by the hand and walked to the disciples on Gate duty.

The youngster made a good attempt at a formal bow, which the toddler copied although the effect was somewhat spoilt when they became distracted mid-bow by a shiny pebble and squatted to pick it up.

"This humble one requests to speak with the Clan Leader of Gusu Lan," said the child. Straightening up, they looked at the guards with a level gaze, unafraid.

"The Clan Leader has not told us to expect a caller today," responded one disciple, stepping forward to take the lead in communicating, while their companion moved to stand in the centre of the Gate, prepared to obstruct any forward movement bodily, should it become necessary. "Do you have an invitation?"

The child huffed and gave a stamp of a small foot.

"Do I look like I would have an invitation from your Clan Leader?" they asked, their tone aggrieved.  

On closer observation it could be seen that while the clothing on the children had once been of good quality, it was clearly mended many times, roughly and without skill, and was in unmistakable need of a good cleaning. A cloth sack slung over one shoulder of the older child was fraying badly in several places. The hair of both children was tangled and snarled, matte with the dust from the roads, although an effort had been made to tidy it away from their faces and tie it back.

"It is not permitted to admit anyone without an invitation or the direction of my elders," explained the disciple. "If you have no invitation, are you known to anyone in Cloud Recesses?"

The child heaved an exasperated sigh and a dirty little paw indicated the differences in their attire - the pristine white and blue of the guards contrasting strongly with the drab garments about the two children's thin frames.  "Do I look like I would know anyone here?"

The little girl – yes, the disciples could see now that it was a female child – turned on her heel, eyes snapping, and stalked behind a nearby tree. There was a thud and a dusty billow apparent from where she must have taken the sack from her shoulder and thrown it on the ground. A further disturbance of both the dirt and the atmosphere as the child then jumped a few times and shrieked wordlessly, at the top of her lungs, giving vent to what appeared to be a truly intolerable frustration. Apparently, the toddler was accustomed to this behaviour as they simply plopped back down on their bottom and stuck a dirty thumb in their mouth, clearly prepared to wait yet again. A few minutes was all it took, and with a deep breath the elder child gathered her sack once more and shook out her robes. Returning to the disciples in front of the gate, she turned an icily calm face to the disciple.

"No, this one knows no one in Cloud Recesses. No, this one does not have an invitation. But!" and here the girl child raised a finger in as intimidating a manner as any small child ever had and shook it at the disciple. "I have something for the Clan Leader of Gusu Lan himself and I'm trying to deliver it!"